Illegal immigrants leaving 'tough' Arizona

By M&C US News Dec 22, 2007, 20:02 GMT

Illegal immigrants in Arizona, frustrated with a tough economy and equally oppressive new legislation cracking down on their employers, are returning to their home countries or trying other states for employment.

CNN reports that for months, illegals have taken a wait-and-see attitude toward the state's new employer-sanctions law, which takes effect January 1.

The voter-approved legislation is an incentive for illegal immigrants to be driven out of Arizona, the busiest crossing point along the U.S.-Mexico border.

CNN reports that the tough legislation is working.

"People are calling me telling me about their friend, their cousin, their neighbors -- they're moving back to Mexico," said Magdalena Schwartz, an immigrant-rights activist and pastor at a Mesa church. "They don't want to live in fear, in terror."

Martin Herrera, a 40-year-old illegal immigrant and masonry worker who lives in Camp Verde, 70 miles north of Phoenix, tells CNN he is planning to return to Mexico as soon as he ties up loose ends after living here for four years.

"I don't want to live here because of the new law and the oppressive environment," he said. "I'll be better in my country."

There's no way to know how many illegal immigrants are leaving Arizona, especially now with many returning home for normal holiday visits. But economists, immigration lawyers and people who work in the immigrant community agree it's happening.

State Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa, the author of the employer sanctions law, said his intent was to drive illegal immigrants out of Arizona.

"I'm hoping they will self-deport," Pearce said. "They broke the law. They're criminals."

Under the employer sanctions law, businesses found to have knowingly hired illegal workers will be subject to sanctions from probation to a 10-day suspension of their business licenses. A second violation would bring permanent revocation of the license.